Bradley Ipema, 48

OPRF H.S. grad, attorney, outdoorsman

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013 10:00 PM

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Bradley J. Ipema, 48, of River Forest, died unexpectedly on Aug. 27, 2013, during a bicycling trip with friends in Michigan. A graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School, he earned a B.A. degree from Calvin College and a J.D. degree from DePaul University. He also completed the Executive Leadership Program at the UNC Keenan-Flagler Business School. Considered by his peers "one of the best business lawyers," he served as counsel in the Financial Management Service of the U.S. Department of the Treasury in Washington D.C. Later he became senior executive and deputy general counsel for Wachovia Corporation and USAA, senior counsel at the Financial Services Roundtable, and chief compliance officer, vice president and associate general counsel at Discover Financial Services in Riverwoods, Ill.

Active in his local community, he was known for his commitment to social justice and living life to its fullest. He served on the board of directors of Daystar Center, a community organization offering educational, cultural, and civic enrichment activities in Chicago, the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education (SCUPE), and as general counsel for the San Antonio River Foundation.

An avid cyclist, sailor and skier, he also enjoyed carpentry, and renovated numerous houses, including a home in Salsbury, N.C., listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. His passion, however, was spending time with his wife, his son, and myriad friends.

Brad Ipema is survived by his wife, Kirstin Wells; his son, Wells Ipema; his father, Rev. William (Bud) Ipema; his sister, Gardi Ipema Wilks; his brother, Ben Ipema; and many nieces, nephews and friends around the country. He was preceded in death by his mother, Dr. Donna K. Ipema.

A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1, at Harderwyk Christian Reformed Church and Ministries, 1627 W. Lakewood Blvd. in Holland, Mich., followed by a celebration of his life from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at his brother's lakeshore cottage at 2581 Lakeshore Drive in Holland.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Daystar Center or Trinity Christian College Compassionate Nursing Scholarship Fund, which was established in the name of his mother, Donna.

This is based on the obituary that ran Aug. 29 in the Holland Sentinel.